Beverage carrying device

ABSTRACT

A collapsible beverage carrying device. The beverage carrying device may include a plurality of trays that include openings formed to secure beverages. The plurality of trays may be connected together by an attachment component and may rotate relative to one another along the attachment component. Therefore, the plurality of trays may rotate from a collapsed position to an expanded position when the beverage carrying device is ready to be used.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 61/670,051, filed Jul. 10, 2012, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beverage carrying device and, moreparticularly, to a beverage carrying device that may be in a collapsedposition and an expanded position.

A cup holder is a device to hold a cup or other drinking vessel. It maybe free standing to hold cups securely on a desk or other flat surface,or in a tree style to store sets of cups in kitchens. Certain cupholders are used to carry multiple drinks at one time. However,generally multiple cup holders are made of cardboard or paper materialsand are therefore not reusable. Further, the multiple cup holders arelarge, cumbersome, and not convenient to transport.

As can be seen, there is a need for a beverage holding device that iscollapsible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a beverage carrier devicecomprises: a plurality of trays each comprising a top surface, a bottomsurface, a side edge, and a first opening through the top surface andthe bottom surface, and at least partially in between the side edge,wherein the first opening is formed to secure a beverage containerwithin, wherein the plurality of trays are stacked so that the bottomsurface of a first tray is adjacent to the top surface of a second tray;and an attachment component rotatably connecting the plurality of traystogether.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of carryingbeverage containers comprises: providing a beverage carrier devicecomprising: a plurality of trays each comprising a top surface, a bottomsurface, a side edge, and a first opening through the top surface andthe bottom surface, and at least partially in between the side edge,wherein the plurality of trays are stacked so that a bottom surface of afirst tray is adjacent to a top surface of a second tray; and anattachment component rotatably connecting the plurality of traystogether; rotating the plurality of trays from a collapsed position toan expanded position, wherein the collapsed position comprises the firstopenings at least partially overlapping one another and the expandedposition comprises the first openings separated; and placing beveragecontainers within the first openings of the plurality of trays.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention in the collapsedposition;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the present invention taken alongline 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention in the collapsed position;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention illustrating the pivotingmovement of the trays relative to one another; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention shown in an expandedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a collapsiblebeverage carrying device. The beverage carrying device may include aplurality of trays that include openings formed to secure beverages. Theplurality of trays may be connected together by an attachment componentand may rotate relative to one another along the attachment component.Therefore, the plurality of trays may rotate from a collapsed positionto an expanded position when the beverage carrying device is ready to beused.

The present invention may include a beverage carrying device that mayfold to pocket size. The present invention may be readily available fora person to easily carry multiple drinking containers at one time.Further, the device is able to fold up into a compact and easy to storedevice that may be placed in a pocket or purse. The device may also bemade of a reusable material such as plastic.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention may include abeverage carrier 10. The beverage carrier may include a plurality oftrays 12. The trays 12 may include a top surface, a bottom surface and aside edge. A first opening 14 may run through the top surface and thebottom surface of the trays 12. The first opening 14 may be at leastpartially in between the side edge. As illustrated in the Figures, thefirst opening 14 may be completely within the side edges. The firstopening 14 may be circular and may be formed to secure a beveragecontainer 20.

As illustrated in the Figures, the plurality of trays 12, may include afirst tray, a second tray, a third tray, and a fourth tray. The trays 12may be vertically stacked relative to one another so that the topsurface of a first tray is adjacent to a bottom surface of a secondtray. In certain embodiments, the plurality of trays 12 may be connectedtogether by an attachment component. The plurality of trays 12 mayrotate relative to one another along an axis. In certain embodiments,the plurality of trays 12 may be square shaped with rounded corners.

In certain embodiments, the attachment component may include a secondopening 18 through the top surface and the bottom surface and in betweenthe side edge of the plurality of trays 12. The second openings 18 mayalign with one another and a rivet 16 may fit within the second openings18. The rivet 16 may include a top end, a bottom end, and a middleportion. The top end and the bottom end may include a parameter largerthan the second opening 18 and the middle portion may include aparameter smaller than the second opening 18. Therefore, the secondopenings 18 may fit around the middle portion and the plurality of trays12 may rotated around the rivet 16.

The present invention may further include a collapsed position and anexpanded position. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the collapsedposition may include the side edge of the plurality of trays 12 aligningand the first openings 14 at least partially overlapping one another.When in the collapsed position, a user may easily store the beveragecarrier 10 within their pocket or carrying bag. As illustrated in FIGS.1 and 7, the expanded version may include the first openings 14separated. The beverage carrier 10 may be changed from the collapsedposition to the expanded position by rotating the plurality of trays 14relative to one another until all of the first openings 14 are exposed.A user may then place beverage containers 20 within the first openings14 and transport a plurality of beverages.

In certain embodiments, the collapsed position may be about 4.5 inchesby 4.5 inches and may easily be carried in an individual's pocket orpurse. The open or expanded position may be about 8 inches×8 inches withthe four openings 14 about 3 inches in diameter to insert beveragecontainers for transport. The rivet location allows the trays 12 tooverlap and thereby provide support. Once the beverages are delivered,the beverage carrier 10 may be refolded to its collapsed position andstored in pocket or purse until needed again.

The trays may be made of various materials, such as metals, or otherpolymers such as rubbers, and plastics. The material of the presentinvention may be of varying size and thickness to provide more or lessstrength depending on the type and weight of containers to be carried.The present invention may be made in any color or color combinationdesired. The opening sizes, rivet sizes and tray sizes may vary in size,strength, and material as desired. Additional handles or straps may beadded to the beverage carrier 10 to add additional support and security.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage carrier device comprising: a pluralityof trays each comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a side edge,and a first opening through the top surface and the bottom surface, andat least partially in between the side edge, wherein the first openingis formed to secure a beverage container within, wherein the pluralityof trays are stacked so that the bottom surface of a first tray isadjacent to the top surface of a second tray; and an attachmentcomponent rotatably connecting the plurality of trays together.
 2. Thebeverage carrier device of claim 1, further comprising a collapsedposition and an expanded position, wherein the collapsed positioncomprises the first openings at least partially overlapping one anotherand the expanded position comprises the first openings separated.
 3. Thebeverage carrier device of claim 1, wherein the attachment componentcomprises a second opening through the top surface and the bottomsurface and in between the side edge, wherein the second openings alignwith one another and a rivet fits within the second openings.
 4. Thebeverage carrier device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of trayscomprises the first tray, the second tray, a third tray, and a fourthtray.
 5. The beverage carrier device of claim 1, wherein the firstopening is circular shaped.
 6. The beverage carrier device of claim 1,wherein the first opening is completely between the side edge.
 7. Thebeverage carrier device of claim 1, wherein the tray comprises a squareshape with rounded edges.
 8. The beverage carrier device of claim 7,wherein the attachment component is located adjacent to one of therounded edges.
 9. A method of carrying beverage containers comprising:providing a beverage carrier device comprising: a plurality of trayseach comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a side edge, and afirst opening through the top surface and the bottom surface, and atleast partially in between the side edge, wherein the plurality of traysare stacked so that a bottom surface of a first tray is adjacent to atop surface of a second tray; and an attachment component rotatablyconnecting the plurality of trays together; rotating the plurality oftrays from a collapsed position to an expanded position, wherein thecollapsed position comprises the first openings at least partiallyoverlapping one another and the expanded position comprises the firstopenings separated; and placing beverage containers within the firstopenings of the plurality of trays.